Carondelet Neurological Institute in Tucson, Ariz., acquired a robot for complex spinal fusion surgeries, Chamber Business News reports. By Angie Stewart - 1/7/20

Des Plaines-based Illinois Bone & Joint Institute opened a new sports medicine facility Jan. 6, the independent, physician-owned practice announced. By Angie Stewart - 1/7/20

Medicrea gained seven key patents for its UNiD Adaptive Spine Intelligence proprietary software platform from the U.S. Patent Office, the company announced Jan. 6. By Angie Stewart - 1/7/20

Researchers found that Medicare's voluntary bundled payments for joint replacement surgery lowered spending without compromising quality, Health Affairs reports. By Angie Stewart - 1/7/20

Since Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo took the helm in 2012, the company has nearly doubled revenues. Mr. Lobo discussed his strategy at the Chief Executive's Healthcare CEO Summit earlier this month. By Laura Dyrda - 1/7/20

New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery hired Massachusetts General Hospital Chief of Sports Medicine Peter Asnis, MD, to lead the medical team at its campus in Florida. By Laura Dyrda - 1/7/20

Milwaukee-based Agnesian HealthCare and its physician group will pay $10 million to settle a whistleblower suit brought by orthopedic surgeon Clark Searle, MD, alleging the health system paid kickbacks and other financial incentives for patient referrals, according to the Fond du Lac Reporter. By Laura Dyrda - 1/7/20

Joint preservation and regenerative therapies company Anika Therapeutics acquired a pair of companies in the orthopedic space. By Eric Oliver - 1/6/20

New York City-based Columbia University School of Engineering researchers developed a robotic trunk support device to improve core control in patients with spinal cord injuries, Verdict Medical Devices reports. By Angie Stewart - 1/6/20

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, in Rogers, added neurosurgeon Alex Castellvi, MD, to its staff and plans to add another neurosurgeon this July, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports. By Eric Oliver - 1/6/20

Norman-based Oklahoma Sports Orthopedic Institute joined St. Louis-based SSM Health, but not all of its providers made the switch.  By Eric Oliver - 1/6/20

Alejandro Castellvi, MD, and nurse practitioner Paula Stephens joined Mercy Clinic Neurosurgery in Rogers, Ark., according to Arkansas Business. By Rachel Popa - 1/6/20

MD West One in Omaha, Neb., will welcome nine orthopedic and spine surgeons in March, according to a report in the World-Herald.  By Laura Dyrda - 1/6/20

Spine surgery in ASCs is becoming more common as procedures become less invasive and payers are more willing to reimburse for spine cases in the outpatient setting. By Eric Oliver and Laura Dyrda - 1/6/20

Chicago Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine joined the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, an independent orthopedic practice, Jan. 1. By Rachel Popa - 1/3/20

Germantown, Tenn.-based Campbell Clinic will open the surgery suite in its new practice Jan. 6. By Eric Oliver - 1/3/20

Stryker's proposed merger with Wright Medical is facing additional scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission, a Jan. 2 SEC filing shows. By Angie Stewart - 1/3/20

Orthopedic spine surgeon Edward Smith, MD, performed Mississippi's first surgery using a patient-specific spinal rod implant, according to a Jan. 2 press release from Rush Health Systems. By Angie Stewart - 1/3/20

This article is a portion of a book titled "Challenges, Risks and Opportunities in Today's Spine World " edited by Stephen Hochschuler, MD, Frank Phillips, MD, and Richard Fessler, MD. You can find links to the previous chapters at the end of this article. By Chris Duneske and Brad Rummer - 1/3/20

San Antonio-based SASpine will open two new locations in Houston early this year. By Eric Oliver - 1/3/20